In a gripping showdown at the table tennis hall in Lanchaur, Nepali sensation Santoo Shrestha clinched a monumental victory, securing his ticket to the prestigious Paris Olympics 2024. Battling through the men’s singles final of the South Asian qualifying tournament, Santu displayed exceptional prowess as he outmatched Nepal’s Sanyog Kapali in a thrilling 4-3 encounter on Wednesday.

With this remarkable triumph, Santoo joins an elite league, becoming only the third Nepali athlete to grace the Olympic stage after successfully navigating the gruelling qualifying phase. Previously, the spotlight shone on Taekwondo stalwarts Sangina Vaidya and Deepak Bista as the sole representatives from Nepal who conquered the qualifying hurdles to compete at the Olympics.

The electrifying match saw Santoo seizing the initiative by clinching the first set with an 11-7 scoreline, only to face a setback as he surrendered the second set 8-11. Undeterred, Santu showcased his resilience, storming back to claim the following two sets with commanding victories of 11-7 and 11-6. However, the battle intensified as his opponent fought back fiercely, securing the fifth and sixth sets with scores of 8-11 and 8-11.

Amidst the mounting pressure, Santoo summoned his finest skills, unleashing a breathtaking performance in the decisive seventh set. With nerves of steel, he edged past his opponent with an 11-9 triumph, cementing his rightful place in the Olympic roster.

Santoo’s journey to Olympic glory was marked by impressive victories over formidable opponents, including Chamira Ginige and Sanyog Jayasanka de Silva of Sri Lanka, in the lead-up to the exhilarating final clash.

In a parallel narrative on the women’s front, Maldives’ Dhima Fatima Ali emerged triumphant, securing her coveted spot in the Olympic arena. This added another chapter of glory to the South Asian contingent to grace the Paris grand stage.